Greetings all!!
A LONG time ago, I was an age group swimmer. Not all that good, really ... basically I was a 5-6-7 finisher from age 8 through high school. (Thus, no one wanted me for anything more serious!!)
My son, now age 8.5, started swimming on a team this summer and seemed to enjoy it. It was at an outdoor pool and it was a pretty laid back program. This month, we started him in a YMCA program that's considerable more organized. He seems to have a lot of natural talent (for his swimming, baseball, skiing, school work) but no PASSION for anything ... yet.
Now, I know that he's young and I definitely don't want to be a pushy parent, but I do have a question.
For those of you who had success swimming post-high school (college level or nationally), when did that spark of PASSION to really do something special ignite? Was it something your parents did ... or, maybe, did not do? Was it a coach? Happen young? Or late?
I want to encourage him but not pressure him. I had little talent, and thus wasn't able to do all that much athletically. But, he seems to have a LOT of natural talent and I don't want to see him pass up opportunities.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Cheers!!
Ken
Former Member
Folks
THANK YOU so very much!! This turned into quite a valuable discussion.
Our son (Ryan) wasn't feeling well this afternoon, so we skipped practice. Therefore I can't get his times from last Sunday's meet. They were not much to write home about as he was clearly slower than some of the other kids. But, then again, he's really had only a few practices under this more formal system!! He's good ... but I realize it will take time!!
I guess some of my curiosity about PASSION really stemmed from this past meet. I noticed some of the kids, especially some of the little girls, seemed to be really serious about their performance. They watched the other races intently and I even saw some pestering coaches about different techniques at times.
Ryan, on the other hand, and several of his same-age team mates, were busy playing with some Star Wars spaceships on the deck in between races!! :) What other races???
I just hope I can help him find his PASSION (hopefully swimming, but maybe something else ...) so he can take advantage of his natural abilities.
One thing I know he enjoys is "racing" his Dad. We haven't done that for a while as my shoulder was acting up. But, when we last tried it, he could beat me IF he wore fins. No fins? His 57 yr old Dad won!! HA!!
Again, thanks for all of the ideas and suggestions.
Cheers!!
Ken
I wouldn't push too hard. I was a swimmer growing up. When I started swimming in high school I was really pushed. I had a couple college offers which made my parents and coaches push even harder.
One thing I remember most was burnout.
Since your kid is starting even younger than I had, you have to be careful of burning them out. If it's not their passion and you push them into it, they're going to rebel against it or again, burn out.
I think there IS a place for informed parental coaching. That is when the child's coach is inattentive or not very good. It isn't always easy to just change programs either - depending on the pool location, schedule etc.
I like my kids' club coach. But she seems to simply not emphasize streamlining on the start. So I talk about that with my kids. It's mostly a reminder.
Also - video taping is one thing a parent can do that a coach will not do. My boys really like to see video tapes of their races. We look at them together and the boys can coach themselves.
Ken, Ryan sounds like a normal 8 year old boy. 10 and under boys are notorious for no focus at a meet, missing their heats because they are playing, just being goofy. Girls tend to be better at focusing although my daughter was always goofing with the boys(and still does, oh my).
Sounds like he is doing what he should be doing, having fun!
I think just being there for your kid 100% goes a really long way. Unconditional love and support are what kids need from parents. The coach can be the one to apply a little "pressure" or motivation if needed, IMHO.
AMEN! I couldn't have said it better myself. Our jobs as parents is to love our children unconditionally. Let the coach do the coaching. Its very hard sometimes to do this! My oldest daughter (18 years old) made my day the other day when she thanked me for not putting pressure on her when she swam USS. She said she saw many of her friends stuggling with this and they ended up HATING swimming and quitting. My daughter is still swimming on the club team at UGA and swimming Masters! :banana: She loves swimming!
Ryan, on the other hand, and several of his same-age team mates, were busy playing with some Star Wars spaceships on the deck in between races!! :) What other races???
Hey if they had Star wars ships at masters meets I'd be playing with them too!
You're blessed, he likes swimming and Star Wars...you're doing something right ;)
Ken, Ryan sounds like a normal 8 year old boy. 10 and under boys are notorious for no focus at a meet, missing their heats because they are playing, just being goofy. Girls tend to be better at focusing although my daughter was always goofing with the boys(and still does, oh my).
Had this discussiong briefly this am. My 6 year old boy has had notes on his take home work to "focus." Mrs Stud is worrying he'll be left behind. I tell her he's a boy--they just don't focus. It's tough because our daughter went through first and we had none of this...
I don't consider changing clothes a sport but I do see your point, those activities do impact your time.
Just like a turn impacts your time on a swim. In theatre they have dress rehearsals for this very reason...you must practice these. It's not like you can avoid the transition like you can avoid turns in OW.
*snicker*
